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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: LindyBill who wrote (21142)	12/23/2003 4:54:04 AM
From: unclewest	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793845

This security alert is supposed to be a Government level affair, with the rest of us going about our business. Unfortunately most Americans share that perception. Most want and expect the govt to solve the problem and to provide guidance and logistics if necessary. We are willing to evacuate but we want a clean motel and three hots when we get where we are told to go. The Homeland Security team is trying to send the message that we must be prepared to take care of ourselves in the event of an emergency or terrorist attack. Most Americans are not getting that message. At www.ready.gov, Homeland Security talks, in clear terms, about what advice we should expect from the authorities during nuclear, chemical and biological attacks. Here are some quotes from the website: Biological Threat “In the event of a biological attack, public health officials may not immediately be able to provide information on what you should do.” Radiation Threat “As with any emergency, local authorities may not be able to immediately provide information on what is happening and what you should do.” Chemical Threat “Quickly try to define the impacted area or where the chemical is coming from if possible.” “Take immediate action to get away.” Though not inspiring or reassuring, the Homeland Security website messages are clear enough. They tell us, in the event of a biological or nuclear attack, to NOT depend on the authorities and during a chemical attack, you must decide what to do. America has the best security available anywhere on earth, yet Americans have the worst attitude about security. Americans want Tom Ridge and his boys to solve every problem immediately. They do not want to be involved. We want to be totally dependent on our government agencies and look to them for an answer to every issue. I give Tom Ridge credit for telling all of us up front that we cannot and should not depend on the authorities. Individual preparedness is a personal problem.